Junior Cason Bekemeier is headed back to the state golf tournament for a second straight year. Bekemeier shot a 77 at Fremont Hills Country Club in Ozark Monday to qualify.
Bekemeier said he felt more comfortable coming into the district tournament this year, having qualified as a sophomore.
“I think that making state last year made it easier on me this year because I know what I have to do and how well I have to play to make it,” he said.
Bekemeier struggled on holes 5-7, but kept his composure to stay in contention. “I knew if I grinded those holes out and got through them, I could get my round back where I wanted it to be,” he said. “Knowing Fremont Hills, there are some gettable holes on the back nine, so I really just told myself to take it one shot at a time… then I parred the next four holes and had a birdie on 13. That really turned my round around.”
Bekemeier’s 77 earned him all-district honors for the second straight year. He was the only Republic golfer to advance to the state tournament.
Brayden Tharp shot an 81, Jace Henry finished with an 81, Porter Bollinger scored a 95, and Aslan Ebisch shot a 95. The Tigers finished ninth as a team, with a total of 335.
Ozark won the team district title. The individual district champ was Ethan Mustard of Lebanon, who shot a one-under-par 70.